George Starkensen | U.S. Army

Army Airman George Starkensen was born in Bergen, Norway and emigrated to the United States as a toddler. He landed in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn and stayed there until 1953, when he enlisted in the Army to prevent being drafted. He went for his Basic Training in Fort Dix before shipping out to serve in Germany and France during the Korean War.

When George returned home from overseas, he took advantage of the GI Bill and earned his degree in mechanical engineering. This led to a career first at Grumman and then at Dayton T. Brown, which took him around the country to California and back.

Along the way, George married and had four daughters who have given him nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren so far. Currently residing at The Arbors in Bohemia, George hopes for no more fighting and no more wars with peace in the valley for all.